ODataController and binary data - asp.net

Question

What is the best way to support accepting of binary data on an ODataController (in .net)? The binary stream can be large, atleast 2MB. I have a controller derived from ODataController (System.Web.Http.Odata.OdataController).
How can I make this controller accept a Content-Type other than application/json (application/octet-stream perhaps)
I am using a base64 encoded string of the binary data in the upload. Is there a better approach?
What I have currently inside the ODataController is:
[HttpPut]
public float Put(string userId, string userType, [FromBody] string base64data)
Two pain points:
base64data parses as null, unless the string is wrapped in an object. For example, a body like "This is a string" results in a null. The body, "{"value":"This is a string"}" parses fine.
If I send more than 2MB of data, I again receive a null (with no errors).
What is the way to support binary data on an odata endpoint with higher allowed limits and efficient way?

Answer 1

How can I make this controller accept a Content-Type other than
application/json (application/octet-stream perhaps)
Use a custom media type formatter Checkout an example here...
I am using a base64 encoded string of the binary data in the upload.
Is there a better approach?
If you don't want to go through the custom media formatter route then you're better off posting your binary data as multipart/form-data. Sample here
base64data parses as null, unless the string is wrapped in an object.
For example, a body like "This is a string" results in a null. The
body, "{"value":"This is a string"}" parses fine.
This is because the default json media formatter expects a json string. However your custom media type formatter will take of raw string.
If I send more than 2MB of data, I again receive a null (with no
errors).
Because you're exceeding the max limit. You can change that using:
<configuration>
<appSettings>
<add key="aspnet:MaxJsonDeserializerMembers" value="1000" />
</appSettings>
</configuration>
Learn more here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2661403